SIBASA - A 25-year-old suspect appeared in the Sibasa Regional Court on Tuesday on a charge of attempted murder. It is alleged that he attempted to kill a police inspector on Christmas Day, 2004, at Shayandima.

Captain Mashudu Malelo of the Vhembe SAPS said Insp Thivhulawi Tshilate was coming from his brother’s home at Shayandima, when he was confronted by the suspect, Prince Siphupha Kholope, who allegedly pointed a firearm at him and ordered him to walk to the Shayandima Secondary School football grounds.

Malelo said, when reaching the football ground, Kholope allegedly fired three shots of which two hit Insp Tshilate in his left thigh and broke his leg. Kholope allegedly robbed the victim of his service pistol and cellular phone. The suspect then ran away, but was arrested through the assistance of the community the next morning. The service pistol and cellular phone were recovered in suspect’s room, together with another firearm.

According to Capt Malele, apart from the attempted murder charge, the suspect is also facing armed robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition charges.

“After investigations it was established that the firearm had been stolen in Gauteng and we are also investigating the possibility that the suspect had also committed armed robbery and another attempted murder,” he said.

Kholope appeared in the Sibasa Regional Court last Tuesday and the case was remanded to October 13. The suspect remains in custody.